Rt Hon Prime Minister Tony Blair
House of Commons
1 Parliament Street
London
SW1A 0AA
18th October 2006
Dear Rt Hon Prime
Minister Tony Blair,
Why are Governments across the world so
afraid of dealing effectively with global warming and climate change?
And why is the UK Government so afraid of dealing with these problems
too? As the scientific evidence grows, so does the gap between political
rhetoric and political will to act with urgency.
The Government’s
inability to lead the national fight against climate change and reduce
UK emissions annually is reflected in the action of the majority of
citizens of this country. A 2006 report commissioned by the Department
for Transport identified an attitude-behaviour gap and described this
as the ‘greatest challenge facing the public climate debate.’
The
evidence suggests that the Government may think that it can encourage
voluntary change in individuals by utilising for example information
campaigns and by introducing green taxes. And yet, we may end up with
nothing more than a very well informed population, who sadly continues
to live carbon hungry lives because there is no real effective Government
plan for change.
With leading scientists recently confirming
that we only have a 5-10 year window of opportunity to get carbon
emissions under control, there is no real other alternative than to
act.
And this leads on to the other paradox in the debate. Why
do everyone believe that technology will save the world? Why do Governments
believe that they can sit back and wait for a the development, testing,
deployment and uptake of new low-carbon technology? Where is the evidence
that this approach will be nothing but too little too late.
The
UK, its people and Government, cannot change the course of the planet
alone. We therefore urge you to take an international lead in
the fight against climate change. We urge you to be brave and be the
first world leader to speak honestly and openly about the desperate
need for a new approach to saving the planet. An approach without
rhetoric, based on strong political leadership and a real will to
act before it is too late.
Kind regards,
Flemming Bermann
Chairman
